Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all. Belle is trying to muscle through showing minimal signs of improvement every day. She did finally defecate today and although we were excited, we are a little concerned regarding her reaction. She started to move throughout the process, not staying in one place. Upon doing so, she started to appear very nervous and once she was finished, she looked very anxious and was pacing. My husband said it appeared as if she "checked out" for a bit.
Anyone else ever experience this?
Okay, first we have to celebrate the HAPPY POOP DANCE!!
She may have been acting a bit "weird" simply because it felt strange to have her first poo with just one rear leg. It also could be that she didn't quite "complete the task" Also, if she was straining that couod have caused the "odd" reaction. The pain meds could make her a little off too.
Did she have her harness on? Some dogs do NOT like to potty with the harness on.
Been meaning to ask, has her temperature gotten back to normal? Recovery is scary for the humans, but it sounds like Bellenis handling it well!
That Belle is one tough cookie!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Just wanted to add, it was probably a little bit of an owwwee when she went since it had been so many days!
How bout the swelling on her other leg...any better?
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I'm with the "Owee" part too. Ouch.
Plus, she was probably wondering why her people were staring and jumping up and down celebrating!
She really does sound like she's on the road to recovery. This is a GREAT sign!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She lost a rear leg, right?
I would guess that her one back leg is not used to holding her up and so she needed to move a bit to relieve the strain. And her balance is very different than before the surgery- it probably felt pretty weird to poop for the first time.
That one back leg will get stronger and she will develop her balance as she heals and gets off the meds.
My current Tripawd is a small rear amp pug mix named Elly. She is just now a year post amp (car accident) and she will still waver a bit sometimes when she poops, mostly when she is tired.
I haven't had a chance to welcome you and Belle yet- so welcome! I've been following this thread and I'm glad to hear your warrior princess is on the mend.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
So glad to hear Belle is coming along. As the others have said they have to learn a new way to . Now add in they're pretty drugged and probably slightly constipated....well it's probably not the easiest thing for them. Celebrate all these victories. Belle is doing really really well and you're doing a wonderful job taking care of her! Hugs!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
Hello everyone!
Update for today...Belle is eating way more! She defecated on her own again last night and today with no freak out session! I can tell already that she is getting annoyed having to be confined to our bedroom! Again, showing signs of the old Belle every day! We are thankful and still remain hopeful we have bought her some time for "pettins," car rides, trips to lake to gawk at the ducks...and mostly, no more pain!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR BELLE!!! Eating good, pooping good, getting' ready to watch ducks...all great news!!
Made my day over here! 🙂
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Update on Belle.
We are 9 days post op. Belle walked all the way to the stop sign at the end of our street today. Although a bit tired at times, she kept going. Basically she told me when she was done and I happily carried her home:) I'm being very cautious as to not let her do too much too soon and allowing her to walk the distance she is comfortable with. I quickly learned that she will do things in her own time♡
Her eating and potty habits are essentially back to normal, and her staples come out Tuesday. She's going to be super stoked to get rid of the cone!
Since our entire home is either tile, hardwood or stained concrete, we are laying carpet all around the house. (not permanent, just tossed around) and we were so fortune to have a buddy who had access to new carpet rolls leftover from home buildouts. Our home may look hilarious as they are all mismatched, but we do not care at all. Belle is worth it!
I'll continue to keep everyone posted♡
Ha! Having our homes look like they came out of Architectural Digest ain't gonna' happen! One of the members years ago said her house looked like a Clown had thrown up all over her hardwood floors!!
So delighted to hear hkw well Belle is doing. Actually THRILLED!! A senior nine days out getting on with enjoying life pain free....yeah...great news!
Pictures? Videos? Would love to see more of this amazing gal!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
So happy to hear she's doing well! Yeah, my house won't win any awards either - but like you said, who cares?
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Would love to share photos and videos! I enjoy sharing her story if nothing but to inspire anyone who may have a senior (in our case 14 year old pup) who is facing the same challenge. Forgive me for not knowing how to post images or videos. Ready for a tutorial so I can share:)
Question, Belle started panting around 4:30 this morning pretty consistently. She would sleep for about 20 min then wake up in a full pant, then drift back off only to do the same thing.
I took her temp at that time, which was normal. Also, I just fed her breakfast and she ate most of it.
Her last dose of Tramadol was given at 10pm ish last night and we are to give it to her every 8 hours. I just gave her the next dose.
Could the panting be a side effect? She's been on Tramadol for hip pain for 2 years so that doesn't seem right. Perhaps her pain medication had worn off and the panting was due, in fact, to pain?
Anyone experience this? We are now 10 days post amp.
Thank you!
P.S. We found a blue, under the skin, liquidy lump about the size of a half dollar on her abdominal area. It's been there since we brought her home we believe. We are going to have the vet look at it but was wondering if anyone else has seen one of these on their pup.
beskew said
Would love to share photos and videos! ...Ready for a tutorial
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there.
Videos are easily embedded in forum posts if you upload them to Youtube (or Vimeo, etc.) first.Then you can just paste the video URL in your post and it will auto-embed.
Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum !
Her last dose of Tramadol was given...Could the panting be a side effect?
Yes, panting and pacing are common side effects of Tramadol.
P.S. We found a blue, under the skin, liquidy lump
Bruising is normal, and the fluid pocket is likely a seroma which is easily drained.
Find lots of info about pain management, seromas and many other common recovery and care concerns in the Tripawds e-books !
Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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